'Gotabayage Yuddaya' unveiled

The launch of a book by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa entitled 'Gotabhayage Yuddaya' an introspective collection of events that led to the crushing of Tamil Tiger Terrorism in Sri Lanka in Sinhala (the English version of Gota's War), documented by veteran journalist C.A. Chandraprema, took place last evening at a glittering ceremony at the Grand Ballroom of the Waters Edge in Battaramulla. Picture shows, Defence Secretary Gota

Japanese princess arrives

Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, the eldest daughter of Japanese Prince Takamado arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday night on a four-day visit, following an invitation extended to her by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa during their visit to Japan in March this year. Picture shows the Princess being received at the Bandaranaike Airport. Pix. by Deepa Adhikari

A visit to the Museum

Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who arrived the country for a four-day visit, is seen at the Colombo National Museum today. (Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Nadeeka among the best in the world

Sri Lanka javelin throw champion Nadeeka Lakmali was placed 12th in the women’s javelin throw final at the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championship 2013 at Luzhniki in Russia yesterday. REUTERS

Thai Princess arrives

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand arrived in the country on Sunday starting a four day visit. Pix by Deepa Adikari

CMC files burnt in cemetery

More than 6,000 files and other documents of the Secretary’s Department, Colombo Municipal Council have been disposed of and secretly burnt at the Borella Cemetery. However, a group of members of the council, both belonging to the ruling party and the opposition who rushed to the scene saved several files and handed them over to the Mayor Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Midshipmen passing out parade

SL Army Commander Daya Rathnayake was the Chief Guest in the passing out of Navy officers as Midshipmen, which took place at the Trincomalee Navy Base last Friday (16) Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Inaugural Randoli Perahera

The first Randoli Perahera in this year’s Kandy Esala celebrations is scheduled to leave the precincts of Sri Dalada Maligawa today at 7.21 pm and parade through, Dalada Veediya, D S Senanayke Veediya, Temple Road Deva Veediya, Colombo Street, E L Senanayake Veediya, Cross Road and Raja Veediya, and re enter Sri Dalada Maligawa. Pix by Shane Seneviratne

Bollywood stars in Colombo

Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma share a light moment during a news conference, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. It was held to inform the media about the production of the upcoming Bollywood movie Bombay Velvet. Pix by Manoj Rathnayake

A first from Sri Lanka

Nadeeka L. Babaranda Liyanage of Sri Lanka competes in the women's javelin throw qualifying round during the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow today (August 16) 2013. REUTERS

Launch of the new Cayman

Sri Lanka’s official Porsche importers today launched new the Cayman at the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo. As the third generation Cayman was unveiled, its two predecessor models were also displayed. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ian Botham on his charity walk

Former England cricket player Ian Botham smiles during a news conference about his charity walk in Sri Lanka this evening. Ian Botham is in Colombo to announce details of his epic walk for charity across Sri Lanka, from Mankulum in the north to Seenigama in the south. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

National Crafts Festival in Colombo

The National Handicrafts Festival “SHILPA 2013” organised by the National Crafts Council, was declared opened by Economics Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa this evening at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre. This National Crafts Festival will be held till August 19 from 10 am to 9 pm daily. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Assumes duties

Major General A.K.S. Perera assumed duties as the Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters (Western) today at Panagoda Army cantonment. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Jermaine Jackson visits MR

Jermaine Jackson, member of The Jackson 5 and brother of pop icon Michal Jackson met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House last evening. Mr. Jackson was visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of MP Namal Rajapaksa. President’s media

Video: Protest in Fort

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe walks through a sea of protestors gathered to demand justice over the murders in Weliveriya and the alleged law breakers in Grandpass. The protest held opposite the Fort railway station caused heavy traffic around the countrys economic hub Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Father and son further remanded

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardana and his son Ravindu who were further remanded today by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court are seen escorted out from the Court premises a while ago. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Video: Gearing for outcry over Weliweriya

UNP members including MP Harsha De Silva distributing leaflets to the general public in Colombo, seeking their  participation and support for the protest to be held outside the Fort Railway Station tomorrow, against the Weliweriya incident. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Ranil attends Dompe UNP Bala Mandala

The Dompe UNP Bala Mandala seminar was held today at Kirindewela the participation with Opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, MP Harin Fernando, MP Ruwan Wijewardene. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Remembering Kadirgamar

The unveiling of the statue of the late Minister of External Affairs, Lakshman Kadirgamar at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies in Colombo was held today on his eighth death anniversary. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Train reaches Kilinochchi after 23 years

Two trains reached the Kilinochchi railway station after 23 years on Sunday August 11. The train service to Kilinochchi came to an end in July 1990. This achievement of resumption of train service was made possible because of Indian financial aid and reconstruction efforts. Pix by S.K.Prasath

In his memory

Former Fereign Minister Lakshman Kadiragamer’s widow Sugandi is seen performing religious rituals to mark her husband’s 8th death anniversary. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Milk Kavadi

A milk kavadi organised by the Sri Devi Karumari Amman Temple in Colombo 10 was held today with devotees coming in procession from the Tamil School at Maha Vidyala Mawatha. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sports festival in Puttalam

The annual sports festival organised by the Puttalam Muslim Community to mark the Ramazan Festival was held yesterday at the Ijeethma Grounds in Puttalam (Jude Samantha)

Roads to be closed for Vel festival

Roads (as shown in graphic) will be closed on tomorrow and on Sunday due to the Annual Mayoora Temple Vel festival.

Video: Ranil visits Weliweriya victims in hospital

Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Gampaha Hospital to check on the well-being of those patients who were injured in the Weliweriya attack. Mr. Wickremesinghe is seen speaking to a boy who was injured in the attack. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Terminal opened for public viewing

The first terminal built under the Colombo South Port Expansion Project was opened last Thursday for public viewing. A large number of visitors were seen at the terminal.   Pix by Nisal Baduge

Eid Mubarak !

The annual Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers conducted by the Haji Hafeez Eshan Patel Under the auspicious of the Memon Association of Sri Lanka was held today at the Galle Face Green in view if the Ramazan Festival. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Ready for Ramazan

Muslims in Sri Lanka were today seen enthusiastically preparing for tomorrow’s Ramazan Festival.Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Against the brutalities

The Socialist Youth Union held an awareness programme and a distributing of leaflets campaign condemning the ‘brutal attack on unarmed civilians by Security Forces’.  The campaign and the awareness programme were held at the Fort railway station today. Pix by  Nisal Baduge